Range responsive flash unit

ABSTRACT

The subject disclosure describes a flash unit, the light output of which is automatically adjusted throughout a given range of illumination values by mechanical means in conformance with the distance settings of a camera with which it is incorporated to provide so-called &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;follow-focus&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; operation. A cooperating manually operable &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;trim&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; means enables an optional overall modification or shift in the degree of light output independent with the aforesaid distance settings. The flash unit may be of the electronic flash or &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;strobe&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; type or may comprise a flash cube or the like. The subject flash unit includes a plurality of telescoping apertured plates which are sequentially advanced through a cam and linkage assembly connected to the camera focus adjusting means so as to selectively vary the net aperture through which illumination from the flash lamp may travel to a subject.

United States Patent 1191 Johnson 5]March 20, 1973 RANGE RESPONSIVEFLASH UNIT FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Inventor: Bruce K. Johnson,An o Mass- 570,422 2/1933 Germany ..95/56 [73] Assign: PulamidCorporation, Cambridge 1,288,421 1/1969 Germany ..95/5s Mass PrimaryExaminer-Robert P. Greiner [22] Filed: Dec. 24, 1970 Attorney-Brown &Mikulka, William D. Roberson and Michael Bard [21] Appl. No.: 101,336 7[57] ABSTRACT U-S- (:l. L, .3, The subject disclosure describes a unitthe 240/46-03 output of which is automatically adjusted throughout a[51] Int. Cl. ..G03b 3/02, G03b 15/03 given range of illumination valuesby mechanical [58] Field of Search ..95/1 1, 11 L, 45, 44, 1 1.5, meansin conformance with the distance settings of a 95/55, 56; 240/ 1.3,46.01, 46.03, 46.05, camera with which it is incorporated to provide s0-46 07, 46,09, 46,27, 46 45 called follow-focus operation. A cooperatingmanually operable trim means enables an optional 56 Ref Ci overallmodification or shift in the degree of light output independent with theaforesaid distance settings. UNITED STATES PATENTS The flash unit may beof the electronic flash or 3,296,947 1/1967 Engelsmann et a1 ..95 11.5 Rx Strobe type may compnse a flash cube or the 3,491,667 1/1970 Land..240/l.3 X The subject flash unit includes a plurality of telescop-3,016,454 1/1962 Simms ..240/46.03 ing apertured plates which aresequentially advanced 2,608,640 8/1952 Willoughby ..240/46.05 XR througha cam and linkage assembly connected to the 3,538,825 11/1970 Taylor..95/l1 L camera focus adjusting means so as to selectively vary3,456,101 7/1969 Rentschler et a1... ..95/1l R the net aperture throughillumination from the Heiberger Ci flash may travel to a subject3,203,331 8/1965 2,378,207 6/1945 26 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures l||"tllllllllllllllllllllllll l llllmlllw' il mamwmzom 3.721.169

SHEET 10F 6 FIG.|

INVENTOR. BRUCE K. JOHNSON BY 4 @ammmfla 04204 PATENTED MARZO I975 SHEET2 as e INVENTOR. BRUCE K. JOHNSON fikaw mm! WZZaZa.

ATTORNEYS PAItNTl-inmzoms 3,721.169

SHEET 3!)? 6 FIG.3

Rfi INVENTOR. BRUCE K. JOHNSON g m amaf W ATTORNEYS PATENTEDMARZOIGYE3,721,169.

smsnuure A mvsmoa BRUCE K. JOHNSON 5mm 2 5 W %Mae2 5M Armwm sPAIENTEDMAR'aO um 3:72 1 6 9 SHEET 5 OF 6 III VAVJVIIIIII/II INVENTOR.

BRUCE K. JOHNSON WAWM and 772464144.

and WM din/m5 A r run/v5 Y5 PATENTEDHARZOIISYS 3.721.169 SHEETBUF 6INVENTOR. BRUCE K. JOHNSON ATTORNEYS RANGE RESPONSIVE FLASH UNITBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Certain prior art cameras incorporatedautomatic shutters comprising an exposure control circuit wherein aphotoresponsive resistor unit is positioned for receiving light from asubject being photographed to produce exposures of a duration dependentupon the resistance of the photoresponsive resistor. Such resistorfunctions to integrate the light from the entire scene and providesatisfactory ambient light exposures over a wide range of conditions.The photoresponsive resistor is also capable of sensing light from asubject to control the duration of the flash exposure where suchillumination is utilized.

It has been found, however, that less than satisfactory exposuresfrequently result when the subject is indoors, and is illuminated with aflash lamp, and that improved and more consistent results are obtainableby setting the shutter to produce an exposure of a predeterminedinterval long enough (e.g., one-thirtieth ofa second) to take fulladvantage of the light output of a conventional flash lamp incontrolling the light energy reaching the film by another means.

In one type of prior art device for controlling flash lamp illuminationoutput, a plurality of adjustable louvers are disposed across the faceof a flash lamp and serve to control the amount and direction of lightemitted according to their rotational positions. The louvers areactuated by means of a cam and lever system operatively connected to thefocus control of the camera whereby adjusting the focus control effectspredetermined rotation of the louvers to vary the passage of lighttherebetween and provide an essentially correct illumination of asubject at any of a plurality of distance settings.

A cooperating trim mechanism functions to enable an overall shift in therotational position of the louvers to alter the illumination at anygiven focus setting as may be desired. Thus, for example, a setting maybe modified by the trim mechanism to voluntarily alter the exposure,e.g., to accommodate some known peculiari ty of film sensitivity; tosatisfy a preference for a darker or lighter print; to enable a slightincrease of illumination range; or for some other reason. Such a priorart system is described in copending application Ser. No. 56,079 filedJune 29, 1970 and commonly assigned herewith.

Prior art systems of the louver type described above, necessarilyprovide changing patterns of illumination of a subject depending on therange of said subject. Typically, the louvers form a pattern on thesubject resulting from reflection of light from the flash lamp off thesurface of the louvers, thereby substantially curtailing theillumination reaching the subject. In order to provide a more evendistribution of illumination across the subject it was necessary toutilize a frosted lens or the like in front of the flash lamp.

In another prior art approach to the problem of modulating flash lamplight output, cover means comprising a generally scissor-like device wasprovided for engagement with the focusing means of a camera so as tovary the amount of light blocked as a function of the lens-to-subjectdistance for which the lens was focused. The scissor-like cover meanscomprised a pair of plates adapted to pivot toward or away from eachother so as to vary the size of the opening therebetween as a functionof subject-to-camera range. Typical of such a scissor-type flash lampmodulation device, is that disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 3,491,667, issuedto E. H. Land, on Jan. 27, 1970 and commonly assigned herewith.

Scissor-like devices such as described above have many inherentdisadvantages which adversely affect the illumination of the subject.For example, such devices typically cause vignetting to the edges of thesubject because they inherently and selectively block illumination tothe edges of the subject. Also, such scissor-like devices do noteffectively modulate the illumination passing generally centrallytherethrough and, therefore, the light distribution across the subjectwill not remain uniform as the range of the subject changes.

In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention toprovide photoflash lamp modulation means for use with a focusable cameraand incorporating means for selectively and uniformly illuminating asubject as a function of the focus setting of the camera.

Another object of the present invention is to provide means forselectively and uniformly varying the illumination reaching aphotographic subject as a function of the range of said subject whilsteliminating vignetting within the field of illumination.

Yet another object of the instant invention is to provide a follow-focusphotoflash lamp output modulator for use with a camera, of the typeemploying socket means for receiving and operably securing a flash cubeor the like, wherein said modulator is adapted to fold away and coversaid socket when not in use and is erectable to selectively block lightemanating from a flash cube, inserted in said socket, from reaching asubject as a function of the range of said subject.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide afollow-focus photoflash lamp output modulator for use with a focusablecamera and comprising a plurality of telescoping apertured platesadapted to be sequentially advanced as a function of the focus settingof said camera.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide meansfor use with a camera employing photoflash lamp illumination meansincluding a plurality of apertured plates or the like adapted to besequentially advanced in response to changes in the focus setting ofsaid camera so as to vary the aperture through which light from saidphotoflash lamp may reach a subject.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The subject invention provides a flash unit,the light output of which is automatically adjusted throughout a givenrange of illumination values in conformity with the range between acamera and a subject. A cooperating manually operable trim mechanismenables an 0ptional overall modification or shift in the degree of lightoutput independent of the range of the subject.

In one embodiment of the subject invention, the flash unit is integralwith a photographic camera of the type illustrated in copendingapplication, Ser. No. 41,681, filed May 25, 1970, by David E. Van Allen.

Such a photographic camera contemplates apparatus usable in flashphotography for releasably mounting a multi-lamp photoflash unit orflash cube thereon. The apparatus is mounted on the camera for rotationrelative thereto and is engageable with a flash cube unit for rotatablyconnecting the unit to the camera. Rotation of the apparatussequentially positions each lamp of the flash cube in a predeterminedlocation for ignition in timed relationship with the exposure producingoperation of the photographic camera.

In the embodiment of the subject invention envisioned for use with sucha photographic camera, cover means is provided which is pivotallysecured to the camera housing so as to be foldable over the flash cubemounting means when no flash cube is secured thereby and erectable to aposition so as to provide a predetermined aperture through which lightfrom the flash cube must pass in reaching a subject.

The cover means includes a plurality of generally rectangulartelescoping apertured plates which are adapted to be sequentiallyadvanced (so as to either increase or decrease the net aperture) by acam and linkage assembly which is designed to effect a predeterminedadvance of said apertured plates as a function of the focus setting ofsaid camera. A trim mechanism functions to advance said apertured platesindependent of the focus setting of the camera and incorporates a camand linkage assembly cooperable with the firstmentioned cam and linkageassembly.

Each of the telescoping apertured plates includes plural apertures suchthat their sequential advancement will effect a change in theillumination reaching the central portion of the subject as well as thesize thereof and eliminate vignetting. Furthermore, one of thetelescoping apertured plates is provided with tab means extendingthrough the apertures in each of the other telescoping plates wherebyillumination provided from the flash device to the subject will beuniformly distributed.

In another embodiment of the instant invention, the subject follow-focusphotoflash lamp output modulator is provided as an attachment for usewith a folding camera of the type described in U. S. Pat. No. 3,491,667,issued to E. H. Land, on Jan. 27, 1970, and commonly assigned herewith.Such a folding camera may typically include an objective lens associatedwith a shutter and a camera body and an erecting and focusing system formounting the lens and shutter on the camera body and extending andretracting the lens along its axis to focus the lens in accordance withthe camera-to-subject distance. Such an erecting and focusing systemincludes a movable member or focusing bar mounted on the upper forwardportion of the camera body for movement transversely of the lens axisfor focusing the lens.

When provided as an attachment, as above described, the subjectinvention may typically include a housing engageable with the camerabody such that, with the lens axis of the camera horizontal, a flashcube may be operably secured to the camera body so as to extendvertically therefrom. A plurality of telescoping apertured plates arestacked in front of the flash cube so as to provide a predeterminedaperture through which light may pass from the flash cube to a subject.Such telescoping apertured plates are essentially the same as thoseemployed in the embodiment first described with the exception that theymay not be folded over the cube retaining means.

A cam and linkage assembly is operably connected to the focusing barwhereby movement of the lens toward and away from the camera body willsequentially advance the telescoping apertured plates, toward or awayfrom the camera body as the case may be, so as to effect a predeterminedchange in the net aperture, through which light from the flash cube mayreach a subject, as a function of the range of said subject. As in theembodiment first described, trim means are provided for varying said netaperture independent of the range to the subject.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and many of the attendantadvantages of the present invention will be better appreciated, and saidinvention will become clearly understood with reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings illustrating two embodiments of the instantinvention, wherein:

FIG. 1 provides a fragmentary perspective illustrating a firstembodiment of the invention operatively secured to a photographic cameraand in its erected position;

FIG. 2 provides a simplified exploded perspective of the aperture platesof the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 provides a fragmentary perspective of the device of FIG. 1showing the novel modulator thereof folded away from its erectedposition and providing a partially exploded illustration of the cam andlinkage assembly interconnecting the camera focus adjusting means andthe novel modulator;

FIG. 4 provides a fragmentary top plan of the aperture plates of FIGS. 13 partly in section and depicting the relationship between the aperturedplates in a fully closed position;

FIG. 5 provides a simplified perspective of a second embodiment of thesubject invention secured in operative relation to a folding camera;

FIG. 6 provides a side elevation of the modulator of FIG. 5 partly insection;

FIG. 7 provides a simplified exploded perspective of the aperturedplates of the device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 provides a simplified fragmentary front elevation of themodulator assembly of the device of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 9 provides a top plan illustrating a portion of the trim controland follow-focus linkage mechanisms of the device of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings in moredetail and, more particularly to FIG. 1, a non-folding box-type camerais shown generally at 2 including a body portion 4 which extends to alens and shutter assembly housing 6 having an inner front wall 8.

A flash cube 10 is operatively and releasably secured to the camera 2via a flash cube mounting assembly 12 which is of a type commonlyemployed in the art, such as the mounting assembly illustrated in U. S.Pat. Application, Ser. No. 41,681, filed May 25, 1970, by David E. VanAllen, and commonly assigned herewith. The flash cube mounting assembly12 is itself secured to the lens and shutter assembly housing 6 of thecamera 2 and, in a manner typically employed in the prior art,

the flash cube may be fired upon actuation of the camera shutter as bythe shutter release button 14.

A generally U-shape foldaway cover assembly 16 is pivotally secured tothe flash cube mounting assembly 12 as by pins 18 and 20 (FIG. 3). Thefoldaway cover assembly 16 is typically formed of transparent plasticand includes a generally rectangular front portion 22 and a pair ofspaced parallel top and bottom portions 24 and 26, respectively,extending normally therefrom. The inner surfaces of said top and bottomportions 24 and 26 are so configured that, in conjunction with the innersurface of the front portion 22, they define a pair of longitudinallyextending spaced parallel slots 28 and 30, respectively.

An array of apertured plates 32 are disposed within the slots 28 and 30adjacent the inner face of the front portion 22 of the foldaway coverassembly 16. The individual apertured plates of the array 32 arearranged in overlying relationship so as to be slideable with respect toeach other within said slots 28 and 30.

It should be noted at this point that the number of apertured plates maybe varied to suit any particular requirements and for purposes ofillustration, each of the embodiments of the novel follow-focusphotoflash lamp output modulator herein disclosed will be described foran array comprising four apertured plates.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the array 32 is seen to comprise a forwardmostapertured plate 34 which is, as best seen in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, fixedlydisposed within the slots 28 and 30 (immediately adjacent the inner faceof the front portion 22 of the foldaway cover assembly 16). A secondapertured plate 36 is positioned behind the apertured plate 34 and isslideable with respect thereto. Similarly, a third apertured plate 38 isslideably disposed within the slots 28 and 30 behind the apertured plate36, and a fourth apertured plate 40 is slideably disposed within theslots 28, 30 behind the apertured plate 38.

Each of the apertured plates 34, 36, 38, and 40, is provided with a pairof spaced parallel generally rectangular apertures 42 and 44, with eachand every pair of apertures 42 and 44 being congruent. The apertures 42and 44 are disposed within each of the apertured plates 34, 36, 38, and40 so as to define an inner edge portion 46, a central portion 48, andan outer edge portion 50.

Looking more closely to the apertured plate 34 of FIG. 2, it is seenthat a plurality of longitudinally directed, spaced parallelindentations are formed in the forwardly directed surface of the innerand outer edge portions 46 and 50 and the central portion 48 thereof.The indentations 52 on the inner and outer edge portions 46 and 50,respectively, and the central portion 48 of the plate 34 are aligned andare sufficiently deep whereby they appear on the rearwardly directedsurface of said portions 46, 48, and 50 as ridges 54.

In a like manner, similar indentations 52 and ridges 54 are formed onthe forward and rearwardly directed surfaces, respectively, of theportions 46, 48, and 50 of the apertured plate 36, with the indentations52 and the ridges 54 of said apertured plate 36 being arranged to extendbetween the indentations 52 and the ridges 54 of the aperture plate 34.Similarly, the apertured plate 38 is provided with indentations 52 andridges 54 on the forward and rearwardly directed surfaces, respectively,of the portions 46, 48, and thereof.

The indentations 52 and the ridges 54 of the apertured plate 38 aredisposed to extend between the indentations 52 and the ridges 54 of theapertured plate 36. The ridges 54 function to maintain the aperturedplates 34, 36, 38, and 40 in predetermined spaced relation whilstminimizing friction (so as to enable them to slide longitudinallyrelative to one another). Obviously, the rearwardmost plate 40, notsupporting a succeeding apertured plate, need not be provided withindentations 52 and ridges 54 as aforesaid.

It should be emphasized at this point that each of the apertured plates34 40 are constructed of opaque material and that the width of the inneredge portion 46, the central portion 48, and the outer edge portion 50in the direction of the indentations 52 is the same for each of theapertured plates 34 40.

The inner edge portion 46 of each of the plates 34, 36, 38, and 40 isprovided with a pair of symmetrically positioned oppositely directedupper and lower tabs 56. Also, each of the apertured plates 34, 36, and38 is provided with a pair of symmetrically disposed inwardly directedupper and lower tabs 58 on its inner edge portion 46. It should be notedthat the vertical positioning of each of the inwardly directed tabportions 58 on the respective inner edge portions 46, of the aperturedplates 34, 36, and 38, are staggered whereby when said apertured plates34, 36, and 38 are disposed in overlying relationship, their respectivetab portions 58 will not interfere with one another. Additionally, theoppositely directed tab portions 56 of each of the apertured plates 34,36, 38 and 40 are so vertically positioned, on their respective inneredge portions 46, whereby relative movement of the apertured plate 40outward of the lens and shutter assembly housing 6 will cause itsoppositely directed tab portions 56 to engage the inwardly directed tabportions 58 of the apertured plate 38.

Further movement of the apertured plate 40 (outward of said housing 6)will cause the apertured plate 38 to move outward of the lens andshutter housing assembly 6 until its oppositely directed tab portions 56engage the inwardly directed tab portions 58 of the apertured plate 36.

It will be recalled that the apertured plate 34 is fixedly securedwithin the foldaway cover assembly 16 and, therefore, no furtherrelative movements of the apertured plates 40, 38, and 36 outward of thelens and shutter assembly housing 6 will be possible.

it should be further noted that the distance between the oppositelydirected tab portions 56 and the inwardly directed tab portions 58 forthe apertured plates 34, 36, and 38, and location of the outwardlydirected tab portions 56 on the inner edge portion 46 of the aperturedplate 4i) (which is not provided with inwardly directed tab portions 58)are precisely predetermined such that when said apertured plate 40 is atits furthest position, outward of the lens and shutter assembly housing6, the apertures 42 and 44 of the apertured plate 34 will be completelycovered by the opaque portions of the apertured plates 36, 38 and 40.

As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the apertured plate 40 is providedwith a rearwardly extending connecting tab 60 affixed to the rearwardsurface of the inner edge portion 46. The connecting tab 60 is providedwith a generally rectangular opening 62 extending therethrough forconnection with a cam and linkage assembly to be described in moredetail, infra.

The apertured plate 40 is further provided with a pair of forwardlydirected tabs extending the entire length of the longitudinal edges ofthe apertures 42 and 44, respectively, closest to the inner edge portion46. The tabs 64 extend forwardly of the apertured plate 40 an amountsufficient to extend through the apertures 42 and 44 of the aperturedplates 38, 36, and 34, when all of the said apertured plates 34, 36, and38, and 40 are positioned in overlying relationship (within the slots 28and 30 of the foldaway cover assembly 16). Whilst the forwardly directedtabs 64 extend through the aperture plates 38, 36, and 34, they do notextend beyond the forwardmost face of the apertured plate 34.

Inasmuch as the aperture plates 34 40 are disposed in overlyingrelationship, the edges of the respective apertured plates defining thenet aperture through which light from the flash cube may be transmittedto a subject will lie in different planes. Hence, the illumination willnot be uniform across the subject effecting a degradation in the qualityof the photographic image reproduction. However, the forwardly directedtabs 64 minimize the affect of the apertured plates 34 40 lying indifferent planes and serve to greatly improve the uniformity of theillumination of the subject by the flash cube 10.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3, the camera 2 is provided with a lensassembly 66 rotatably secured to the inner front wall 8. The lensassembly 66 includes a focusing ring 68 which is rotatably secured tothe inner front wall 8 whereby the lens assembly 66 may be focused byrotation of the focusing ring 68.

A lever arm 70 is pivotally secured at one end to the inner front wall 8ofthe lens and shutter assembly housing 6, as by a pin assembly 72. Aspring 74 is connected to the inner front wall 8, as by screw means 76and is secured to the lever arm 70 at a position 78 remote from said pinassembly 72. The spring 74 is preloaded so as to bias said lever arm 70counterclockwise about the pin assembly 72.

An arm 80 is secured to the upper portion of the inner front wall 8 ofthe lens and shutter assembly housing 6 in a well-known manner wherebysaid arm 80 may slide linearly across said front wall 8. The arm 80extends across the front wall 8 of the housing 6 and terminates in anend portion 82 at one end and extends toward said flash cube mountingassembly 12 to terminate in an end portion 84 at its other end. The endportion 84 is provided with a linear upwardly extending slot 86 and thelever arm 70 is pivotally connected to the arm 80 by means of a pinassembly 88 which is pivotally and slideably secured to the arm 80within the slot 86 in the end portion 84.

Thus, pivotal movement of the lever arm 70 about the pin assembly 72will cause the pin assembly 88 to linearly traverse the slot 86 whilstlinearly driving the arm 80 across the inner front wall 8 of the lensand shutter assembly housing 6 in a direction depending upon thedirection of pivotal movement of the lever arm 70.

A connecting link 90 is connected at one end to the end portion 84 ofthe arm 80 and extends outwardly thereof to bent tab portion 92 which isreceived within the opening 62 in the rearwardly extending connectingtab 60. The bent tab portion 92 is of suitable size and shape such thatit will engage the connecting tab 60 and cause the apertured plate 40 tobe moved within the slots 28 and 30 toward the end of said coverassembly 16 closest the pins 18 and 20 when said foldaway cover assembly16 is in its folded position (as best seen in FIG. 3). With the coverassembly 16 erected (as best seen in FIG. 1) the bent tab portion 92will engage the connecting tab 60 such that pivotal movement of thelever arm about the pin assembly 72 will effect linear movement of thearm and, hence, the apertured plate 40 so as to sequentially actuate theapertured plates 38, 36, and 34.

A profile cam 94 of precisely predetermined shape is secured to theperiphery of the focusing ring 68 so as to be rotatable therewith. A camfollower 96 is pivotally secured to the lever arm 70 at a positioneccentric of the pin assembly 72, as by a pin assembly 98. A secondprofile cam 100 is rotatably secured to the inner front wall 8 of thelens and shutter assembly housing 6 via a support plate 102 which isprovided with a stop 104 in the form of a lug projecting normallyoutward therefrom. The cam 100 is rotated by means of a cylindricalcontrol knob 106 and is provided with a tab portion 108 extendingradially outward from its peripheral surface so as to engage the stop104 to thereby limit the clockwise travel of said cam 100. The abruptrise of the cam surface defines a shoulder 110 which comes into abutmentwith the stop 104 to prevent or limit counterclockwise rotation of thecam 100.

The cam follower 96 includes an end portion 112 suitably configured toride upon and follow the peripheral surface of the profile cam 94.Similarly, the cam follower 96 extends to an end portion 114, remotefrom said end portion 112, and configured to ride upon and follow theperipheral surface of the profile cam 100. The end portions 112 and 114are biased into engagement with the peripheral surfaces of the profilecams 94 and 100, respectively, by the spring 74 which biases the leverarm 70 in a counterclockwise direction about the pin assembly 72 which,in turn, biases the cam follower 96 counterclockwise about said pinassembly 72 by virtue of its pivotal connection to the pin assembly 98eccentric of the pin assembly 72.

In operation, focusing the lens assembly 66 will be effected by rotationof the focusing ring 68 carrying therewith the profile cam 94 which, inturn, will cause the cam follower 96 to rotate the pin assembly 98 and,hence, the lever arm 70, about the pin assembly 72. Rotation of thelever arm 70 about the pin assembly 72 will cause the pin assembly 88 tosimultaneously move upward within the slot 86 and move the arm 80 towardthe flash cube mounting assembly 12.

Such movement of the arm 80 will cause the connecting link 90 to moveoutward of the housing assembly 6, and with the foldaway cover assembly16 in its erected position, the connecting link 90 will advance theapertured plate 40 via the connecting tab 60 thereof (which is inengagement with the bent tab portion 92 of said connecting arm 90).

As the apertured plate 40 is advanced, the oppositely directed tabs 56thereof will engage the inwardly directed tabs 58 of the plate 38. In asimilar manner,

further advancement of the plate 40 will cause the oppositely directedtabs 56 of the apertured plate 38 to engage the inwardly directed tabs58 of the apertured plate 36 and such advance of the apertured plateswill continue until the oppositely directed tabs 56 of the aperturedplate 36 engage the inwardly directed tabs 58 of the fixed aperturedplate 34.

As best seen in FIG. 4, when the apertured plates 36, 38, and 40 haveadvanced outward of the lens and shutter assembly housing 6 as far aspossible, the apertures 42 and 44 of the apertured plate 34 will becompletely covered. At this time, the area of the front portion 22 ofthe foldaway cover assembly 16 outward of the apertured plate 34 willlikewise be covered by the advanced apertured plates 40, 38, and 36.

In a similar manner, clockwise rotation of the focus ing ring 68 and theprofile cam 94 will cause the lever arm 70 to pivot counterclockwiseabout the pin assembly 72 causing the pin assembly 88 to simultaneouslymove upward in the slot 86 and carry the end portion 84 and the arm 80across the inner front wall 8 in a direction away from the flash cubemounting assembly 12. Such movement of the arm 80 will cause theapertured plate 40 to advance in the opposite direction toward the flashcube mounting assembly 12.

As the apertured plate 40 is advanced toward the mounting assembly 12,the forwardly directed tab 64 will successively engage the edges of theapertures 42 and 44, of the apertured plates 38, 36, and 34,respectively, closest to the inner edge portions 46 until all of saidapertured plates are positioned with their respective apertures 42 and44 in registration in the fully opened position, as illustrated in FIG.1.

For any particular setting of the focusing ring 68, the apertured plates34 40 will be relatively positioned so as to define a predetermined netaperture as a function of the cam 94. For any particular position of thefocusing ring 68 and the cam 94, the cam 100 may be actuated by thecontrol means 106 to vary the net aperture through which light from theflash cube may be transmitted to a subject. For example, rotation of thecontrol knob 106, and the second profile cam 100 therewith, will causethe cam follower 96 to pivot about the point of contact between the endportion 112 and the cam 94, thereby causing the lever arm 70 to pivotabout the pin assembly 72 to actuate the arm 80 and, hence, theapertured plate 40.

Rotation of the control knob 106 and the second profile cam 100clockwise will decrease the net aperture defined by the apertured plates34 40 independent of the setting of the focusing ring 68 and the profilecam 94. Similarly, rotation of the control knob 106 and the profile cam100 in the counterclockwise direction will increase the net aperturedefined by said apertured plates 34 40 independent of the focus settingof the lens assembly 66 and the cam 94 operatively connected therewith.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 and, more particularly to FIG. 5, anotherembodiment of the subject invention is illustrated in combination with acamera 116 of the hand-held folding type. The camera 116 includes acamera body 118, a lens and shutter assembly 120, and expandable andcollapsible bellows 122 coupling the lens and shutter assembly 120 tothe camera body 118, and an erecting system comprising two linkages 124and 126 for supporting the lens and shutter assembly relative to thecamera body 118., The lens designated 128, of the lens and shutterassembly 120, is fixed with respect to the assembly of which it is acomponent, and the focusing of the lens 128 is achieved by moving saidlens and shutter assembly 120 relative to the camera body 118 along theaxis of the lens 128 by manipulating the linkages 124 and 126 (whichserve to support the lens and shutter assembly 120).

The erecting and focusing system of the camera 116 is of the type shownand more fully described in detail in U. S. Pat. No. 3,185,060, issuedMay 25, 1965, to R. S. Borghesani, and commonly assigned herewith.Briefly, the linkage 124 comprises a first link 130 pivotally connectedat one end to the lens and shutter assembly 120 and pivotally engaged atits other end by a movable member 132 mounted on the camera body 118 forreciprocating motion transverse the axis of the lens 128; and a secondlink 133 pivotally connected at one end to said first link 130intermediate the ends of the latter and pivotally connected at its otherend to the camera body 118.

The linkage 126 includes a first link 134 pivotally connected at one endto the lens and shutter assembly 120 and slideably engaged at its otherend in a track 136 on the camera body 118; and a second link 138pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the first link 134intermediate the ends of the latter and pivoted at one end to the camerabody 118 and engaged at its other end in a track (not shown) on the rearof the lens and shutter assembly 120. The construction is such that therear ends of the links 130 and 134 and the forward end of the link 138may be reciprocated in generally parallel relation transverse the axisof the lens 128 to extend and retract said lens and shutter assembly 120along the lens axis for the purpose of folding and unfolding the camera116 and focusing the lens 128.

To facilitate the focusing of the lens 128, the movable member 132 isprovided, on opposite end portions, with buttons 140 adapted to beengaged by the index fingers of the operator for reciprocating themovable member 132 and focus the lens 128 by extending and retractingthe lens and shutter assembly 120. The camera 116 also includes aviewfinder 142 which typically may incorporate a rangefinder coupledwith the movable member 132.

The subject invention is shown incorporated with a novel flash cuberetaining and indexing mechanism 144 which is more fully described incopending US. application, Ser. No. 101,337 filed by John B. Morse onDec. 24, 1970. The retaining and indexing assembly 144 is separate fromand may be attached to the camera 116 by means of an attachment assembly146 (which may typically comprise a spring clip or a foot and shoeassembly) such as is commonly employed in the art. The retaining andindexing assembly 144 may also be provided with plug means (not shown)for attachment to the camera 116 such that the flash cube will be firedsynchronously with the opening of the camera shutter upon actuation ofthe shutter release 148.

The flash cube retaining and indexing mechanism 144 includes a rearportion 150 and a front portion 152. A flash cube 154 is rotatably andreleasably secured within the retaining and indexing mechanism 144between the front portion 152 and the rear portion 150.

As best seen in FIG. 6, the flash cube retaining and indexing mechanism144 includes a stationary frame member 156 to which is affixed theattachment assembly 146. A clear plastic cover assembly 158 is securedto the stationary frame member 156 within the front portion 152 of theflash cube retaining and indexing mechanism 144. An array of apertureplates 160 is slideably disposed within the plastic cover assembly 158and, as best seen in FIG. 7, comprises a plurality of apertured plates162, 164, 166, and 168 which are disposed in overlying relationshipwithin the cover assembly 158 (FIG. 6).

The array of apertured plates 160 is similar to the array of aperturedplates 32 (FIG. 1) in both function and appearance. The apertured plate162 is mounted forwardmost within the cover assembly 158 and is providedwith a pair of oppositely directed ears 170 which function to fixedlysecure said apertured plate 162 within the cover assembly 158. In amanner similar to the apertured plates 36, 38, and 40, (FIG. 2) theapertured plates 164, 166, and 168 are successively disposed rearward ofthe fixed aperture plate 162 and are each slideable within the coverassembly 158 relative to one another and to said fixed apertured plate162.

Each of the apertured plates 162 168 is provided with a pair of spacedparallel generally rectangular apertures 172 and 174, with each andevery pair of apertures 172 and 174 being congruent. The apertures 172and 174 are disposed within each of the apertured plates 162, 164, 166,and 168 so as to define a lower edge portion 176, a central portion 178,and an upper edge portion 180.

It should be emphasized at this point that each of the apertured plates162 168 is constructed of opaque material and that the width of thelower edge portion 176, the central portion 178, and the upper edgeportion 180 (in the direction of movement of the apertured plates 164168) is the same for each of said apertured plates 162 -168.

Further, it will be noted that the apertured plates 162 168 have notbeen illustrated with indentations and ridges such as the indentations52 and ridges 54 of the apertured plates 34 40 (of FIG. 2). While suchindentations and ridges are not essential for the proper functioning ofthe invention, it should nevertheless be understood that the aperturedplates 162 166 may be provided with ridges and indentations tofacilitate their efficient operation.

The lower edge portion 176 of the apertured plate 162 is provided with agenerally rectangular opening 182 having an inwardly directed tab 184extending from the upper longitudinal edge thereof. In a similar manner,the apertured plate 164 is provided with a generally rectangular opening186 having an inwardly directed tab 188 extending from the upperlongitudinal edge thereof.

The apertured plate 166 includes a generally T-shape opening 190 in thelower edge portion 176 thereof which is so configured as to define apair of inwardly extending shoulders 192. The T-shape opening 190includes an inwardly directed tab portion 194 extending from theuppermost edge thereof. Similarly, the apertured plate 168 is providedwith a T-shape opening 196 in the lower edge portion 176 thereof whichis so configured as to define a pair of inwardly extending shoulders198.

The longitudinal extent of the openings 182 and 186 and the distancebetween the inwardly extending shoulders 192 and 198 progressivelyincreases from the apertured plate 162 to the apertured plate 168. Also,the width (in a direction of the longitudinal extent of the openings 182and 186) of the inwardly directed tab portions 184, 188, and 194,respectively, progressively increases in correspondence to the increasein the width of the openings 182 and 186 and the distance between theinwardly extending shoulder portions 192 and 198.

Accordingly, upward movement of the apertured plate 168 will cause theinwardly directed tab portion 194 of the apertured plate 166 to engagesaid inwardly extending shoulders 198 whereupon said apertured plate 166will move with said apertured plate 168 as said apertured plate 168continues its upward movement within the front portion 152 of the flashcube retaining and indexing mechanism 144.

Continued upward movement of the apertured plate 166 will cause theinwardly directed tab 188 of the aperture plate 164 to engage the pairof inwardly extending shoulders 192 whereby said apertured plate 164will thereafter move upward with said apertured plate 166.

Further upward movement of the apertured plates 168, 166, and 164 willeventually bring the inwardly directed tab 184 of the apertured plate162 into engagement with the lower longitudinally extending edge of therectangular opening 186. At this time, no further upward movement of theapertured plates 168, 166, and 164 will be possible because theapertured plate 162 is fixedly secured within the front portion 152 ofthe flash cube retaining and indexing mechanism 144.

In a similar manner, downward movement of the apertured plate 168 willsuccessively cause the inwardly directed tab 194 to engage the uppermostedge of the T-shape opening 196, and the inwardly directed tab 188 toengage the uppermost edge of the T-shape opening 190, whereby theapertured plates 166 and 164 will follow the downward movement of theapertured plate 168 until such time as the inwardly directed tab 184engages the uppermost edge of the rectangular opening 186 in theapertured plate 164.

As best seen in FIGS. 6 and 8, a lever arm 200 is pivotally secured tothe stationary frame member 156 as by a pin 202. The leverarm 200 isbiased counterclockwise about the pin 202 by a torsion spring 204, theleg portions of which are connected to the stationary frame member 156and said lever arm 200, respectively. The lever arm 200 is furtherprovided with an arcuate slot 206 adapted to receive a guide pin 208which is affixed to the frame member 156 and functions to guide thepivotal movement of the lever arm 200 about the pin 202.

A portion of the lower edge of the lever arm 200 is provided with a camsurface 210 and one end portion of said lever arm 200 is provided with apin member 212 which is rotatably and slideably received within a slot214 (FIGS. 7 and 8) in the rearmost apertured plate 168.

pivotally secured to the frame member 156 as by a pin 218 for pivotalmovement in a plane normal to the plane of the array of aperture plates160. The link arm 216 is biased for clockwise movement as by a tensionspring 220, one end of which is secured to said frame member 156 and theother end of which is secured to one end portion of said link arm 216 ina well-known manner.

The link arm 216 extends to a generally cylindrical end portion 222which, in turn, extends through a slot 224 in the front portion of thestationary frame member 156. The slot 224 extends laterally across thefront portion of the stationary frame member 156 and is parallel to themovable member 132 whereby the cylindrical end portion 222 may traversesaid slot 224 in response to pivotal movement of said link arm 216. Thecylindrical end portion 222 of the link arm 216 engages the cam surface210 of the lever arm 200 due to the biasing of said lever arm 200 bysaid torsion spring 204, as aforesaid.

A trim control link 226 is pivotally secured to said stationary framemember 156 beneath said link arm 216 and at the pivotal center thereofas by said pin 218 such that said trim control link 226 may pivot withina plane parallel to that of said link arm 216. A driving link 228 ispivotally secured to the trim control link 226 outward of the pin 218 asby a pin 230.

The driving link 228 extends beneath the front portion 152 of the flashcube retaining and indexing mechanism 144 to a generally L-shape endportion 232 which engages a tab 234 which is affixed to and extendsupward from the moveable member 132.

The end portion of said driving link 228 remote from said L-shape endportion 232 extends to a bearing surface 236 which extends beneath andnormal to the plane of rotation of said driving link 228. The endportion of the link arm 216 remote from said cylindrical end portion 222terminates in a bearing surface 238 which depends therefrom generallynormal to the plane of rotation of said link arm 216.

An adjusting screw 240 is threadably received Within the bearing surface238 such that the portion of said adjusting screw 240 extending outwardof said bearing surface 238 may be varied as desired. The adjustingscrew 240 serves to space the bearing surface 236 a predetermineddistance from the bearing surface 238 such that movement of said drivinglink 228 a predetermined amount will cause said cylindrical end portion222 of said link arm 216 to move to a predetermined position dependentupon both the amount of movement of said driving link 228 and thesetting of said adjusting screw 240.

The link arm 216 is caused to follow the driving link 228 because of thebias exerted on said link arm 216 by said tension spring 220. Also,movement of the trim control link 226 will cause the driving link 228 topivot with the trim control link 226 about the pin 218 thereby movingthe bearing surface 236 away from said bearing surface 238. The tensionspring 220, however, will cause the adjusting screw 240 to remain incontact with said bearing surface 236 and said end portion 222 will beadjusted a predetermined amount by the movement of said trim controllink 226, as aforesaid.

It will be recalled that the camera 116 of FIG. 5 is focused by means ofreciprocating the movable member 132 via the buttons 140. Also, itshould be noted that the L-shape end portion 232 of the driving link 228is biased into engagement with the tab portion 234 extending upward fromsaid movable member 132 by means of the tension spring 220 actingthrough the link arm 216. Thus, reciprocal movement of the movablemember 132 will cause the driving link 228 to pivot about the pin 230 soas to maintain said end portion 232 in engagement with said tab 234.

Pivoting of the driving link 228 responsive to reciprocal movement ofsaid movable member 132 will be followed by pivotal movement of the linkarm 216 about the pin 218 causing the cylindrical end portion 222 totraverse the slot 224 in the direction of movement of said movablemember 132. Such movement of the cylindrical end portion 222 will causeit to traverse the cam surface 210 of the lever arm 200 causing thelatter to pivot about the pin 202 causing the pin member 212 tosimultaneously pivot about the pin 202 and traverse the slot 214 therebymoving the apertured plate 168 upward or downward depending on thedirection of movement of said end portion 222 within said slot 224.

As the range of a subject decreases, proper focusing of the camera 116is achieved by moving the member 132 to the right of a user facing thesubject. When this occurs, the end portion 222 will slide along the camsurface 210 causing the lever arm 200 to pivot against the spring 204causing the apertured plates 168, 166, and 164 to successively moveupward so as to decrease the opening available to admit light from theflash cube 154 to the subject. Analogously, as the range of the subjectincreases, the camera 116 is focused by moving the member 132 to theleft (of the user facing the subject) whereupon the end portion 222traverses the slot 224 and the spring 204 will pivot the lever arm 200about the pin 202 so that the cam surface 210 maintains engagement withsaid end portion 222. Thus, as the range of the subject increases, theapertured plates 168, 166, and 164 will move successively downward so asto increase the opening or effective aperture available for the passageof illumination from the flash cube 154 to the subject.

It is to be emphasized at this point that the cam surface 210 is of suchshape and the various components of the flash cube retaining andindexing mechanism 144 are so configured that the net aperture effectedby the movement of said apertured plates 164 168 in response toreciprocal movement of said movable member !32 will provide appropriateillumination for the subject being photographed as a function of therange thereof.

It should be further noted that for any particular focus setting of thecamera 116 and, hence, the movable member 132, the effective apertureprovided by the array of apertured plates may be selectively increasedor decreased by means of the trim control link 226. For example,clockwise rotation of the trim control link 226, as seen in P10. 9, willcause the apertured plates 164, 166, and 168 to move upward so as todecrease the effective aperture provided thereby and lower the amount ofillumination reaching the subject.

Analogously, counterclockwise rotation of the trim link 226 will causethe lever arm 200 to pivot counterclockwise about the pin 202 and causethe apertured plates 168, 166, and 164 to successively move downward,thereby increasing the effective aperture available for the passage ofillumination from the flash cube 154 to the subject. Thus, independentof the range of the subject and the net aperture provided by the arrayof apertured plates 160 responsive thereto, the subject may be lightenedor darkened by appropriate movement of the trim control link 226.

It can readily be seen that many variations and modifications of thepresent invention are possible in the light of the aforementionedteachings, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art thatvarious changes in form and arrangement of components may be made tosuit requirements without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of theappended claims, the instant invention may be practised in a mannerotherwise than is specifically described herein.

What is claimed is:

l. Photoflash modulation apparatus for use with a camera, including:

a housing; an array of apertured plates telescopically arranged andmovably secured within said housing and cooperable to define a variableaperture for the passage oflight; and

means for sequentially advancing said array of apertured plates apredetermined amount to define a predetermined aperture as a function ofthe range of a subject.

2. The invention as delineated in claim 1, further including means forselectively and uniformly modulating the illumination reaching a subjectfrom photo-flash means as a function of said range.

3. The invention as stated in claim 2, wherein said selectively anduniformly modulating means includes means defining plural spacedapertures with both the area of said apertures and the spacingtherebetween varying as a predetermined function of said range.

4. The invention according to claim 3, wherein said plural spacedaperture defining means includes plural spaced apertures in eachapertured plate comprised in said array of aperture plates.

5. The invention in accordance with claim 4, wherein the plural spacedapertures in each said apertured plate are identical in size andspacing.

6. The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein one of said array ofapertured plates is fixedly secured with respect to said housing.

7. The invention as related in claim 5, wherein one of said array ofapertured plates is fixedly secured with respect to said housing.

8. The invention as described in claim 7, further including means forselectively advancing a first of said apertured plates a predeterminedamount as a function of said range; and

means connected to at least a second of said apertured plates forengaging said first of said apertured plates upon advancement thereof ofa predetermined amount.

9. The invention as set forth in claim 8, wherein said first of saidapertured plates includes plural tabs each defining one edge of adifferent one of said plural apertures in said first apertured plate andextending through the corresponding aperture of each of the otherapertured plates.

10. The invention as set out in claim 9, wherein at" least one of saidapertured plates is provided with a plurality of spaced ridges on onesurface thereof which function to slideably space such apertured platefrom another of said apertured plates.

11. The invention according to claim 10, further including means forselectively and uniformly modulating the illumination reaching a subjectindependent from the range thereof.

12. The invention as related in claim 11, wherein said camera isprovided with means for releasably securing a photo-flash lamp and saidhousing includes foldaway cover means adapted to be erected from a firstposition covering said releasably securing means to a position whereinlight directed toward said subject from said photo-flash lamp will passtherethrough.

13. The invention as recited in claim 12, wherein said camera isprovided with focus adjusting means and further including means coupledto said focus adjusting means and to said means for moving at least oneof said array of apertured plates, whereby said array of aperturedplates will define a predetermined aperture as a function of the focussetting of said camera.

14. The invention as set out in claim 13, wherein said focus adjustingmeans includes a focusing ring and said means coupled to said focusadjusting means includes:

a profile cam disposed about the periphery of said focusing ring;

a cam follower in engagement with said cam and pivotally connected tosaid camera; and

an arm connected to said cam follower and to said means for moving atleast one of said array of apertured plates.

15. Photo-flash modulation apparatus for use with a camera having focusadjusting means, including:

a support;

receiving means connected to said support for securing a lamp toilluminate a subject; foldaway cover means disposed outward of saidreceiving means so as to define a window;

an array of apertured plates movably secured within said cover means andcooperable to vary the size of said window; and

means actuable in accordance with the camera-tosubject distance formoving at least one of said array of apertured plates and therebyselectively blocking portions of the illumination from said lamp byvarying the size of said window.

16. The invention as delineated in claim 15, wherein said array ofapertured plates are telescopically arranged whereby they may besequentially advanced as a function of said camera-to-subject distance.

17. The invention as stated in claim 16, wherein each of said array ofapertured plates includes plural spaced apertures and wherein saidapertured plates cooperate to define plural spaced apertures with boththe area and the spacing between said defined apertures varying as apredetermined function of said camera-to-subject distance.

18. The invention in accordance with claim 17, including cam meansconnected to said focus adjusting means for effecting the sequentialadvancement of said apertured plates as a function of the setting ofsaid focus adjusting means.

19. The invention in accordance with claim 18, including second cammeans for varying both the size of and the spacing between said pluralaperture defined by said array of apertured plates independent of thesetting of said focus adjusting means.

20. The invention as set forth in claim 1, wherein said camera isprovided with focus adjusting means and further including means coupledto said focus adjusting means and to said means for moving at least oneof said array of apertured plates, whereby said array of aperturedplates will define a predetermined aperture as a function of the focussetting of said camera.

21. The invention according to claim 20, wherein said camera includes acamera body, an objective lens and mounting means for said lens movablerelative to said body along the axis of said lens for focusing saidlens.

22. Photo-flash modulation apparatus adapted for use with a camera ofthe type having a camera body, an objective lens, mounting means forsaid lens movable relative to said body along the axis of said lens forfocusing said lens, an erecting system coupling said mounting means withsaid body including a manually engageable member mounted on the exteriorof said camera body for reciprocating motion in a direction transversethe axis of said lens and supporting said mounting means for movementrelative to said camera body along the axis of said lens; including:

a housing mounted on said camera body for holding a photo-flash device,including a source of illumination, in position to direct light towardthe subject being photographed;

an array of apertured plates movably secured within said housing infront of said source of illumination so as to block a variable portionthereof; and

means for moving at least one of said array of apertured plates apredetermined amount depending on the range of said subject to block apredetermined portion of said illumination as a function of said range.

23. The invention as set out in claim 22, wherein said array ofapertured plates are telescopically arranged whereby they may besequentially advanced as a function of said range.

24. The invention according to claim 23, wherein said means for movingat least one of said array of apertured plates includes:

a driving link pivotally secured to said housing and biased intoengagement with said manually engageable member;

a link arm pivotally secured to said housing remote from said drivinglink and slaved to said driving link; and

cam means connected to said one of said array of apertured plates and inengagement with said link arm whereby movement of said manually engageable member will effect pivotal movement of said driving link andsaid link arm causing said link arm to drive said cam means and advancesaid one of said array of apertured plates.

25. The invention as stated in claim 24, further including means forvarying said portion of illumination blocked by said array of aperturedplates independent of the position of said manually enga eable member.

26. he invention of claim 25, w erem said varying means independent ofsaid manually engageable member comprises a trim link pivotally securedto said housing at the pivotal center of said link arm and pivotallysecured to said driving link at a predetermined point remote from saidpivotal center of said link arm.

1. Photo-flash modulation apparatus for use with a camera, including: ahousing; an array of apertured plates telescopically arranged andmovably secured within said housing and cooperable to define a variableaperture for the passage of light; and means for sequentially advancingsaid array of apertured plates a predetermined amount to define apredetermined aperture as a function of the range of a subject.
 2. Theinvention as delineated in claim 1, further including means forselectively and uniformly modulating the illumination reaching a subjectfrom photo-flash means as a function of said range.
 3. The invention asstated in claim 2, wherein said selectively and uniformly modulatingmeans includes means defining plural spaced apertures with both the areaof said apertures and the spacing therebetween varying as apredetermined function of said range.
 4. The invention according toclaim 3, wherein said plural spaced aperture defining means includesplural spaced apertures in each apertured plate comprised in said arrayof aperture plates.
 5. The invention in accordance with claim 4, whereinthe plural spaced apertures in each said apertured plate are identicalin size and spacing.
 6. The invention as recited in claim 1, wherein oneof said array of apertured plates is fixedly secured with respect tosaid housing.
 7. The invention as related in claim 5, wherein one ofsaid array of apertured plates is fixedly secured with respect to saidhousing.
 8. The invention as described in claim 7, further includingmeans for selectively advancing a first of said apertured plates apredetermined amount as a function of said range; and means connected toat least a second of said apertured plates for engaging said first ofsaid apertured plates upon advancement thereof of a predeterminedamount.
 9. The invention as set forth in claim 8, wherein said first ofsaid apertured plates includes plural tabs each defining one edge of adifferent one of said plural apertures in said first apertured plate andextending through the corresponding aperture of each of the otherapertured plates.
 10. The invention as set out in claim 9, wherein atleast one of said apertured plates is provided with a plurality ofspaced ridges on one surface thereof which function to slideably spacesuch apertured plate from another of said apertured plates.
 11. Theinvention according to claim 10, further including means for selectivelyand uniformly modulating the illumination reaching a subject independentfrom the range thereof.
 12. The invention as related in claim 11,wherein said camera is provided with means for releasably securing aphoto-flash lamp and said housing includes Foldaway cover means adaptedto be erected from a first position covering said releasably securingmeans to a position wherein light directed toward said subject from saidphoto-flash lamp will pass therethrough.
 13. The invention as recited inclaim 12, wherein said camera is provided with focus adjusting means andfurther including means coupled to said focus adjusting means and tosaid means for moving at least one of said array of apertured plates,whereby said array of apertured plates will define a predeterminedaperture as a function of the focus setting of said camera.
 14. Theinvention as set out in claim 13, wherein said focus adjusting meansincludes a focusing ring and said means coupled to said focus adjustingmeans includes: a profile cam disposed about the periphery of saidfocusing ring; a cam follower in engagement with said cam and pivotallyconnected to said camera; and an arm connected to said cam follower andto said means for moving at least one of said array of apertured plates.15. Photo-flash modulation apparatus for use with a camera having focusadjusting means, including: a support; receiving means connected to saidsupport for securing a lamp to illuminate a subject; foldaway covermeans disposed outward of said receiving means so as to define a window;an array of apertured plates movably secured within said cover means andcooperable to vary the size of said window; and means actuable inaccordance with the camera-to-subject distance for moving at least oneof said array of apertured plates and thereby selectively blockingportions of the illumination from said lamp by varying the size of saidwindow.
 16. The invention as delineated in claim 15, wherein said arrayof apertured plates are telescopically arranged whereby they may besequentially advanced as a function of said camera-to-subject distance.17. The invention as stated in claim 16, wherein each of said array ofapertured plates includes plural spaced apertures and wherein saidapertured plates cooperate to define plural spaced apertures with boththe area and the spacing between said defined apertures varying as apredetermined function of said camera-to-subject distance.
 18. Theinvention in accordance with claim 17, including cam means connected tosaid focus adjusting means for effecting the sequential advancement ofsaid apertured plates as a function of the setting of said focusadjusting means.
 19. The invention in accordance with claim 18,including second cam means for varying both the size of and the spacingbetween said plural aperture defined by said array of apertured platesindependent of the setting of said focus adjusting means.
 20. Theinvention as set forth in claim 1, wherein said camera is provided withfocus adjusting means and further including means coupled to said focusadjusting means and to said means for moving at least one of said arrayof apertured plates, whereby said array of apertured plates will definea predetermined aperture as a function of the focus setting of saidcamera.
 21. The invention according to claim 20, wherein said cameraincludes a camera body, an objective lens and mounting means for saidlens movable relative to said body along the axis of said lens forfocusing said lens.
 22. Photo-flash modulation apparatus adapted for usewith a camera of the type having a camera body, an objective lens,mounting means for said lens movable relative to said body along theaxis of said lens for focusing said lens, an erecting system couplingsaid mounting means with said body including a manually engageablemember mounted on the exterior of said camera body for reciprocatingmotion in a direction transverse the axis of said lens and supportingsaid mounting means for movement relative to said camera body along theaxis of said lens; including: a housing mounted on said camera body forholding a photo-flash device, including a source of illumination, inposition to direct light toward the subject being photographed; an arrayof apertured plates movably secured within said housing in front of saidsource of illumination so as to block a variable portion thereof; andmeans for moving at least one of said array of apertured plates apredetermined amount depending on the range of said subject to block apredetermined portion of said illumination as a function of said range.23. The invention as set out in claim 22, wherein said array ofapertured plates are telescopically arranged whereby they may besequentially advanced as a function of said range.
 24. The inventionaccording to claim 23, wherein said means for moving at least one ofsaid array of apertured plates includes: a driving link pivotallysecured to said housing and biased into engagement with said manuallyengageable member; a link arm pivotally secured to said housing remotefrom said driving link and slaved to said driving link; and cam meansconnected to said one of said array of apertured plates and inengagement with said link arm whereby movement of said manuallyengageable member will effect pivotal movement of said driving link andsaid link arm causing said link arm to drive said cam means and advancesaid one of said array of apertured plates.
 25. The invention as statedin claim 24, further including means for varying said portion ofillumination blocked by said array of apertured plates independent ofthe position of said manually engageable member.
 26. The invention ofclaim 25, wherein said varying means independent of said manuallyengageable member comprises a trim link pivotally secured to saidhousing at the pivotal center of said link arm and pivotally secured tosaid driving link at a predetermined point remote from said pivotalcenter of said link arm.